LilliansEnsembles

MY ETSY SHOP

Friday, April 4, 2014

So as it is the 100th year Anniversary for WWI and the 70th for WWII I have made some poppies.

The poppy has a long association with Remembrance Day. But how did the distinctive red flower become such a potent symbol of our remembrance of the sacrifices made in past wars?

Scarlet corn poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were once again ripped open as World War One raged through Europe's heart. Once the conflict was over the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields.

The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields. The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in World War One and later conflicts. It was adopted by The Royal British Legion as the symbol for their Poppy Appeal, in aid of those serving in the British Armed Forces, after its formation in 1921.

My entire family is all ex-military and I wanted to support the fallen soldiers. I listed these on my Etsy site and will donate there dollars to the Legion for everyone I sell.

I made them from red satin, ready made green leaves, black seed beads and a gold plated stick pin. I am really pleased how well they turned out.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

So here is my dress so far. I really do love the material for this dress. I pinned it to my manikin as I have to sew the side ready for snaps and sew the straps on. I am really glad I only pinned it as I realized I pinned the straps upside down..Note to oneself: watch the pattern when sewing straps on.. :)

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Well today I cut the pattern out. I for the first time did not use pins, I used my Wonder Weights. They are from the 1940's and are about 1 inch wide and have a good weight to them. You place them around your pattern, cut and remove. your done. No more long time spent on pinning then unpinning….It was so much faster and much easier. I will never pin another pattern again. I suggest buying and trying. Now to start sewing…

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Hello,

Been too long since I posted anything. The new job does take a lot of my time but I am participating in the Sew for Victory that just started. Below is my project. Going to cut the material tomorrow. What do you think of the material?

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

I love this series, I get inspiration from the clothes, hair and even the sets. It is about girls working in a factory making bombs and their daily lives. A great period piece. Do you watch this? What do you think? If not, a must for any girl searching for inspiration or just to enjoy a period series.

Monday, September 2, 2013

So here is the finished item of a not so "pinup" apron. I am pleased with it. Looks really good, nice warm color for the coming months. What do you think? would you wear one of these or do you not wear aprons?

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

So the material I love to line my coat is not cotton so I am going to make this set for the sew along. The floral material is for the gown and the eggplant solid material is for the jacket. Both 100% cotton, I am excited to see how this turns out. What do you think?

Well I had a customer ask me to maker her a different type of apron and I did. I made a muslin first for her to try on and se how this old pattern worked for her, with some tweaking I got it made just right.

This is the pattern I used.

Cutting the material

sewing together with french seams

Now to sew all the wonderful bias binding, pockets and buttons on. This is what I got.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Which do you think would make a better coat? Picture the green with a nice chocolate skirt and the other I was thinking of making a matching skirt????? Or shall I just start over? Trying to picture it is hard!!!

Well one more dress...this one is a Wiggle Dress and I had a lot of fun making this one and it was very easy and fits great.

This again was made with 100% cotton, is a V neck and back. The pattern is

'New Style' Mail Order 3118. I think I could have come in a little more at the waste, maybe a total of a half inch but when I sit down, I think not as it hugs perfectly and I can still breath. If I took more in, I think it would be too tight when sitting.

A really classy dress and easy to make. I am going to try some other types of material and make a couple more, I know these can be very versatile.

And one of me just being darn Silly!!!!

Here is the picture of the pattern, you can make a wee jacket too which would be great for cooler nights!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

I finally finished my dress and had a sunny day to take some pictures.

This is made from pattern Vogue Vintage 8789. It was very easy to make, I used nearly 5 yards of material in the skirt alone. I bought a two layer petticoat for underneath THEN I hemmed it as I did not want the waterfall look on the skirt, I wanted the skirt to just come over the petticoat so it had a nice drape look and wow! I am pleased with it. I used very soft 100% cotton in blue floral and it really does work well with the dress.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Now on to some awesome trousers I have been wanting to make for a long time. NEVER made trousers so this will be interesting but going to give it a go. I bought some grey material that hangs lovely, did not pay a lot ($1.50) a yard on sale so hoping they turn out ok.

So while waiting for the petticoat for my 50's dress so I can post a nice picture of the dress in it's best look, I made this turban. I really do like how they turn out and this is such pretty material.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

So another day sewing and I got the bodice finished and got the skirt gathered and attached, that was a job! I don't mind gathering but there was SOOOO much material. I apologize for the poor pics. My dress will not go on the mannequin so I just laid it on the ironing board, when it is done, I will get some pic's of me wearing it. Trying to get it done for my birthday..YES... July 4th.....

I have the zipper to put in, sew the buttons on the shoulder (I love the little satin hoops I made for them) and then just to hem it. The zipper is something I have never done, hoping I do not ruin the dress..

Look at how much material there is just for the skirt...and that is doubled

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

So I finally started my dress today. I got all the darts sewn and sewed the front and back together. Next I have to make little loops for the shoulders as it buttons on the shoulders and has a zip on the side..dreading this first time job. Material is gorgeous but I am hoping it does not look too busy.

About Me

Hello and Welcome! I love to make anything vintage especially from the 1940's. I love knitting, crocheting and sewing all taught to me by my Very Clever Mother - Brenda, a talented woman! I enjoy reading and educating myself along with photograghing and playing the flute. I dress in the 1940's fashion and surround myself with artifacts from that period.
Here I am keeping a diary for myself of what I have made and my progress of my skills as I move forward in my quest of making a 1940's wardrobe for one self.